The Bonito Fire Department, in cooperation with the Lincoln County Office of Emergency Services, played host to more than 20 area firefighters who took part in a training session called "Getting Out Alive -- Firefighter Safety and Survival" on Saturday. The course focused on hands-on training with firefighters placed into a setting to practice the skills required to self-extricate from potentially life-threatening situations, including an air consumption drill, calling the mayday when entangled or trapped, performing a second-story bail out, maze training and other exercises performed in full bunker gear with self-contained breathing apparatus and simulated real-life conditions.

Kipp Rix, who has been with fire services in New Mexico for 19 years and is assistant district chief with the San Juan County Fire Department in Farmington, taught the training course Saturday. The training was staged by the Bonito Fire Department in cooperation with the Lincoln County Office of Emergency Services. (Markus Cantor — For the Ruidoso News)